The use and development of CAV communications will enable the creation of intelligent transport systems that promise more efficient use of road infrastructure, reduced congestion, and safe, coordinated autonomous vehicle operation.

Most importantly, it will improve safety for all road users, with the impact of human error minimised as vehicles communicate and respond to their surroundings.

Telstra believes its 4G and future 5G networks can play a vital role in supporting the faster rollout of intelligent transport systems and Connected Vehicle applications, making implementation of the technology cheaper and more efficient.

The South Australian trial confirms that 4G can support Connected Vehicle applications, which include:

Alerting a driver to roadworks ahead; Giving green light priority to high priority vehicles; Optimal green light timing, where the vehicle is informed of the optimal speed to approach a traffic light to get a green light when they arrive, therefore allowing a more continuous flow of traffic.

Cohda Wireless, Telstra and the South Australia Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure are all partners of the Australian Driverless Vehicle Initiative (ADVI), a partnership of government, industry and academic partners working collaboratively to research, investigate and help inform the development of robust national policy, legislation, regulation and operational procedures and processes to bring driverless vehicles safely and successfully to Australian roads.